WR Notes:Trent Edwards was struggling, but the move to Ryan Fitzpatrick is still a downer for Lee Evans and Terrell Owens. Fitzpatrick throws the ball vertically even less than Edwards. Jacksonville's secondary is weak, so it will be a bad omen for Evans/Owens owners if they don't produce like a WR3 this year. … Vince Young is throwing to his running backs and wide receivers, so Nate Washington and Kenny Britt aren't overly exciting options against Houston. … If Chris Simms starts, knock Brandon Marshall down about 20 spots. He's still worth using as a WR2/3 in most leagues, but wouldn't be a must play. … Kevin Walter is one of those players that has shown production and talent before and remains in a good situation, so I'm sticking with a high ranking until he proves me right.

Marques Colston remains the prime red zone target on a team threatening to break scoring records. Don't over think things and sit him against a terrible defense. … Steve Smith and Miles Austin have come back to Earth, but they remain solid WR2s. Austin will be boom or bust, but you can't sit him because of his big play ability. Think DeSean Jackson. Smith is settling into the rock solid 6 for 70 type of PPR machine we expected to begin with. … Ken Whisenhunt knew what he was doing sitting Anquan Boldin for a week. He looked as strong and explosive as he has all season when he returned last week. … The Packers corners will be a great test for Michael Crabtree. I think he can handle physical play.

Laveranues Coles has season highs in targets in back-to-back games with nine. He's becoming a decent PPR option. … Malcom Floyd is a random huge game waiting to happen, and Denver's secondary has been exposed a little bit the last few weeks. If you are willing to gamble, he's a good option. … The NFL Matchup guys thought that Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon were hitting a bit of a wall the last few weeks. This is a good matchup, but the new starters may be wearing down. … Chris Chambers will be a fantasy option with Dwayne Bowe out, but the Chiefs won't be able to protect Matt Cassel against Pittsburgh. Future weeks, maybe.

Thursday Night Football makes fantasy owners work a little harder. The weekly Season Pass rankings come out on Tuesday at noon, and we'll post the Goal Line Stand rankings on Wednesday. But that's just the start of the NFL week.

If Jerious Norwood is able to play, Snelling is a mediocre flex option against a stout Giants rush defense. Scott could have a big day cleaning up for Cedric Benson, but he becomes a must-start if Benson is out of the lineup. The availability of Sammy Morris will also affect Laurence Maroney.

The rankings will continue to change dramatically each week, especially if injuries start to pile up. Just don't forget they can also change dramatically during the week too. This has been a season of remarkable health in key fantasy positions, so we're overdue from some upheaval.

Week 11 Quarterbacks

Rank

Player Name

Opponent

Notes

1

Drew Brees

at TB

-

2

Peyton Manning

at BAL

-

3

Matt Schaub

vs. TEN

-

4

Tom Brady

vs. NYJ

Probable(right shoulder)

5

Kurt Warner

at STL

-

6

Ben Roethlisberger

at KC

-

7

Aaron Rodgers

vs. SF

-

8

Donovan McNabb

at CHI

-

9

Philip Rivers

at DEN

-

10

Brett Favre

vs. SEA

Probable(hip)

11

Carson Palmer

at OAK

-

12

Tony Romo

vs. WAS

-

13

Jay Cutler

vs. PHI

-

14

Matt Hasselbeck

at MIN

-

15

Eli Manning

vs. ATL

Probable(foot)

16

Matt Ryan

at NYG

-

17

Vince Young

at HOU

-

18

Joe Flacco

vs. IND

Probable(knee)

19

David Garrard

vs. BUF

-

20

Josh Freeman

vs. NO

-

21

Alex Smith

at GB

-

22

Brady Quinn

at DET

-

23

Matthew Stafford

vs. CLE

Probable(knee)

24

Marc Bulger

vs. ARZ

-

25

Chad Henne

at CAR

-

26

Jake Delhomme

vs. MIA

-

27

Matt Cassel

vs. PIT

-

28

Chris Simms

vs. SD

-

29

Ryan Fitzpatrick

at JAC

-

30

Jason Campbell

at DAL

-

31

Mark Sanchez

at NE

-

32

JaMarcus Russell

vs. CIN

-

QB Notes: Somewhat lost in the Colts-Patriots classic is that the Patriots passing attack is operating at full tilt. Great games against the Bucs, Titans, and Dolphins were nice, but Brady and Moss strafed the hardest pass defense in the league to score fantasy points against. It bodes very well for a monster second half from Brady. We'd take Brady in fantasy leagues over Manning the rest of the way. … Manning has played his three worst games of the season in a row, with a lot of wacky looking un-Manning-like passes. Of course, he continues to put up big numbers. But the young Colts receivers are fading just slightly, so it's not a crazy time to sell high on Manning if you get another top-10 QB and good value at other positions thrown in.

I've watched almost every throw Vince Young has made since entering the lineup. He's making smart decisions, but also completing some intermediate throws. They are doing a great job of coaching Young, but he's been accurate on some difficult passes. He's not a terrible option fantasy option against Houston and could grow towards being a bigger factor down the stretch. … The move to Ryan Fitzpatrick in Buffalo is odd because Trent Edwards was coming off one of his better games. Fitzpatrick has no hope for value. … Was last week a dramatic step back for Alex Smith or just a bump in the road? The coaches didn't trust him in the second half against Chicago, and he didn't earn their trust. We'll find out how good the 49ers passing attack can be against an outstanding Packers pass defense. … I'm not that worried about Jay Cutler's five-pick game. Just Cutler being Cutler. He's going to top 4,000 yards this year because of Chicago's crappy defense and running game. He'll probably break his career record for touchdowns. He's a good buy low. … Kurt Warner is in good shape to play 16 games amazingly. He's not getting hit often, and his upcoming slate of games doesn't include many good pass rushes. It's huge for Warner's fantasy value that Ken Whisenhunt keeps his foot on the pedal when he has a lead in games.

Don't fall for Chicago's secondary looking improved against San Francisco; Donovan McNabb should shred them. … In most years, Matt Hasselbeck would be a top-eight every week QB1 by now. Only the depth at quarterback is preventing him from being ranked higher. You can win your league with him at quarterback. … Perhaps built up too fast, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco are facing second-year struggles that should have them on fantasy benches. Flacco is unlikely to turn it around against Indianapolis. Teams counting on them as starters should at least look for possible trade upgrades.

And for the few folks out there that haven't checked out Season Pass yet, um, get on it! Tons of exlusive material every week, including our brand new rankings just for the fantasy playoffs. It's $4.99 for the rest of the season.

Week 11 Running Backs

Rank

Player Name

Opponent

Notes

1

Chris Johnson

at HOU

-

2

Maurice Jones-Drew

vs. BUF

-

3

Adrian Peterson

vs. SEA

-

4

Ray Rice

vs. IND

-

5

Frank Gore

at GB

-

6

Steven Jackson

vs. ARZ

-

7

Ricky Williams

at CAR

-

8

Rashard Mendenhall

at KC

-

9

DeAngelo Williams

vs. MIA

Questionable(knee)

10

Pierre Thomas

at TB

-

11

Bernard Scott

at OAK

No Benson

12

Matt Forte

vs. PHI

-

13

Kevin Smith

vs. CLE

-

14

Brandon Jacobs

vs. ATL

-

15

Marion Barber

vs. WAS

Probable(thumb)

16

Ryan Grant

vs. SF

-

17

Thomas Jones

at NE

-

18

LeSean McCoy

at CHI

-

19

Joseph Addai

at BAL

-

20

Chris Wells

at STL

-

21

Marshawn Lynch

at JAC

-

22

LaDainian Tomlinson

at DEN

-

23

Knowshon Moreno

vs. SD

-

24

Tim Hightower

at STL

-

25

Mike Bell

at TB

-

26

Ladell Betts

at DAL

Probable(ankle)

27

Justin Forsett

at MIN

-

28

Jason Snelling

at NYG

-

29

Steve Slaton

vs. TEN

-

30

Jonathan Stewart

vs. MIA

Questionable(heel)

31

Jamaal Charles

vs. PIT

-

32

Laurence Maroney

vs. NYJ

-

33

Carnell Williams

vs. NO

Probable(knee)

34

Jamal Lewis

at DET

Questionable(ankle)

35

Ahmad Bradshaw

vs. ATL

Probable(foot)

36

Michael Bush

vs. CIN

-

37

Ryan Moats

vs. TEN

-

38

Donald Brown

at BAL

-

39

Fred Jackson

at JAC

-

40

Shonn Greene

at NE

-

41

Derrick Ward

vs. NO

-

42

Felix Jones

vs. WAS

-

43

Darren Sproles

at DEN

-

44

Darren McFadden

vs. CIN

-

45

Tashard Choice

vs. WAS

-

46

Correll Buckhalter

vs. SD

Probable(knee)

47

Justin Fargas

vs. CIN

-

48

Chester Taylor

vs. SEA

-

49

Jerious Norwood

at NYG

Questionable(hip)

50

Kolby Smith

vs. PIT

-

51

Willis McGahee

vs. IND

-

52

Danny Ware

vs. ATL

-

53

Willie Parker

at KC

-

54

Maurice Morris

vs. CLE

-

55

LenDale White

at HOU

-

56

Rashad Jennings

vs. BUF

-

57

Kevin Faulk

vs. NYJ

-

58

Ahman Green

vs. SF

Questionable(groin)

59

Chris Brown

vs. TEN

-

RB Notes:Jamaal Charles' big game was great, but he's still on the Chiefs. And he's still facing the Steelers. Kansas City's offensive line will get overwhelmed and it's not worth the risk. … Rashard Mendenhall is up and down and doesn't always fight through tackles like you'd like a guy his size to do. But he's a must start top-10 play in this matchup. I'm surprised there is as much doubt still about Mendenhall out there as there is. … Maurice Jones-Drew should be the latest running back to expose the soft middle of the Buffalo defense. Expect one of his monster games. Chris Johnson's superlative season is overshadowing Mo-Jo's sill campaign. He's on pace for over 1,900 yards from scrimmage, 300 carries, 57 carries, and 21 TDs. Who says there are no true workhorse backs left?

Pierre Thomas is frustrating at times to own, but there's still no way you can sit him against the Bucs. That would be over thinking. … Matt Forte's receptions are saving his season. He's averaging ten yards per catch and the Bears have smartly started using him more like a Brian Westbrook since the team can't run block. Chicago's attack resembles Philadelphia in a lot of ways. … With Danny Ware ready to take some third down duties back, Ahmad Bradshaw is becoming less exciting. Atlanta's defense is falling apart, though, so expect a solid game out of Brandon Jacobs. Look for the Giants to re-establish their running game well, especially in the next two games.

Beanie Wells remains a risky play, but he's a solid bet to score in any given week. Especially when that week is against the Rams. He loses a lot of value in PPR leagues. … Marshawn Lynch is still running hard and Beast Mode broke out a few times last week, but Buffalo's offensive line remains a mess. Fred Jackson remains such a weapon that it's hard to count on Lynch in any given week, although we are still hopeful his talent will break through. The effort seems there, but he's not special enough to overcome the offense around him. … San Diego's offensive line has improved of late and Denver's defense continues to wear down late in games. This could be a high volume game for LT2, even if I'm not totally convinced he'll do much with it. … If Reggie Bush is out, Mike Bell is a lot safer. If Correll Buckhalter is out, Knowshon Moreno is similarly better.

Bernard Scott will be ranked in the top 13 if Cedric Benson is out Sunday, which I suspect he will be. You still don't want to play Larry Johnson. … There's not telling how the Texans will divide up their workload after the bye week. I suspect Steve Slaton will get more work, but the matchup dictates that it's safer to sit both backs. … Jason Snelling's ranking is based on Jerious Norwood suiting up. … Marion Barber remains a good buy low. They are built to run and nothing in the game footage indicates Barber is struggling. His role is frustrating, but it's not that different than before. The touchdowns and points will come.

Note: Snapdraft leagues are starting every day. If you haven't looked at the game's structure, just do me a favor and check it out. I would have gone insane on Snapdraft stealing people's money if I wasn't an employee of the company.

Week 11 Wide Receivers

Rank

Player Name

Opponent

Notes

1

Larry Fitzgerald

at STL

-

2

Andre Johnson

vs. TEN

-

3

Reggie Wayne

at BAL

-

4

Vincent Jackson

at DEN

-

5

Randy Moss

vs. NYJ

-

6

Roddy White

at NYG

Questionable(knee)

7

Calvin Johnson

vs. CLE

Probable(hand)

8

Marques Colston

at TB

-

9

Wes Welker

vs. NYJ

-

10

DeSean Jackson

at CHI

-

11

Mike Sims-Walker

vs. BUF

-

12

Greg Jennings

vs. SF

-

13

Chad Ochocinco

at OAK

-

14

Sidney Rice

vs. SEA

-

15

Steve Smith

vs. MIA

-

16

Anquan Boldin

at STL

-

17

Steve Smith

vs. ATL

-

18

Miles Austin

vs. WAS

-

19

Devin Hester

vs. PHI

-

20

Santonio Holmes

at KC

-

21

Hines Ward

at KC

-

22

Jerricho Cotchery

at NE

-

23

Donald Driver

vs. SF

-

24

Brandon Marshall

vs. SD

Ranked as if Simms will start

25

Nate Burleson

at MIN

-

26

T.J. Houshmandzadeh

at MIN

-

27

Derrick Mason

vs. IND

-

28

Steve Breaston

at STL

Probable(knee)

29

Kevin Walter

vs. TEN

-

30

Braylon Edwards

at NE

-

31

Percy Harvin

vs. SEA

-

32

Michael Crabtree

at GB

Probable(knee)

33

Roy Williams

vs. WAS

-

34

Santana Moss

at DAL

-

35

Hakeem Nicks

vs. ATL

-

36

Lee Evans

at JAC

-

37

Malcom Floyd

at DEN

-

38

Devery Henderson

at TB

-

39

Jeremy Maclin

at CHI

Probable(foot)

40

Donnie Avery

vs. ARZ

-

41

Austin Collie

at BAL

-

42

Bernard Berrian

vs. SEA

Questionable(hamstring)

43

Pierre Garcon

at BAL

Questionable(ankle)

44

Earl Bennett

vs. PHI

-

45

Chris Chambers

vs. PIT

-

46

Terrell Owens

at JAC

-

47

Laveranues Coles

at OAK

Probable(head)

48

Mario Manningham

vs. ATL

-

49

Nate Washington

at HOU

-

50

Brandon Gibson

vs. ARZ

-

51

Davone Bess

at CAR

-

52

Johnny Knox

vs. PHI

-

53

Patrick Crayton

vs. WAS

-

54

Mohamed Massaquoi

at DET

-

55

Josh Morgan

at GB

-

56

Robert Meachem

at TB

-

57

Andre Caldwell

at OAK

-

58

Mike Wallace

at KC

-

59

Mark Clayton

vs. IND

-

60

Eddie Royal

vs. SD

-

61

Greg Camarillo

at CAR

-

62

James Jones

vs. SF

-

63

Lance Long

vs. PIT

-

64

Torry Holt

vs. BUF

-

WR Notes:Trent Edwards was struggling, but the move to Ryan Fitzpatrick is still a downer for Lee Evans and Terrell Owens. Fitzpatrick throws the ball vertically even less than Edwards. Jacksonville's secondary is weak, so it will be a bad omen for Evans/Owens owners if they don't produce like a WR3 this year. … Vince Young is throwing to his running backs and wide receivers, so Nate Washington and Kenny Britt aren't overly exciting options against Houston. … If Chris Simms starts, knock Brandon Marshall down about 20 spots. He's still worth using as a WR2/3 in most leagues, but wouldn't be a must play. … Kevin Walter is one of those players that has shown production and talent before and remains in a good situation, so I'm sticking with a high ranking until he proves me right.

Marques Colston remains the prime red zone target on a team threatening to break scoring records. Don't over think things and sit him against a terrible defense. … Steve Smith and Miles Austin have come back to Earth, but they remain solid WR2s. Austin will be boom or bust, but you can't sit him because of his big play ability. Think DeSean Jackson. Smith is settling into the rock solid 6 for 70 type of PPR machine we expected to begin with. … Ken Whisenhunt knew what he was doing sitting Anquan Boldin for a week. He looked as strong and explosive as he has all season when he returned last week. … The Packers corners will be a great test for Michael Crabtree. I think he can handle physical play.

Laveranues Coles has season highs in targets in back-to-back games with nine. He's becoming a decent PPR option. … Malcom Floyd is a random huge game waiting to happen, and Denver's secondary has been exposed a little bit the last few weeks. If you are willing to gamble, he's a good option. … The NFL Matchup guys thought that Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon were hitting a bit of a wall the last few weeks. This is a good matchup, but the new starters may be wearing down. … Chris Chambers will be a fantasy option with Dwayne Bowe out, but the Chiefs won't be able to protect Matt Cassel against Pittsburgh. Future weeks, maybe.

TE Notes: In case you missed it, the Todd Heap revival ended a little while back. If it ever started. … Kellen Winslow has received a nice boost since Josh Freeman entered the lineup. Freeman gets a lot of yards on improvised plays and Winslow has done a nice job staying alive and getting open for him. … Greg Olsen got three more targets against the 49ers than he did in his three-touchdown game against the Cardinals. And the Eagles struggle against tight ends. … Dustin Keller should be off the wire after 14 catches for 134 yards the last two weeks, but he doesn't necessarily have to be in lineups against Brandon McGowan and the Patriots. … Jermichael Finley is a fine pickup and play if you need help this week. It looks like he'll be a go.